Just In Case Someone Out There is Wondering"What Does Fr. Rob Johansen Think About That?"

Tuesday, January 22, 2008

A Day of Penance

Today, 35 years ago, the United States Supreme Court, in an exercise of "raw judicial power" struck down all legal protection on infants in the womb. In one blow, the Court made a whole class of human beings "unpersons" and ushered in the regime of abortion-on-demand that now results in the deaths of some 3,500 unborn children every day, with a ghastly toll of over 40 million dead since 1973.

The U.S. Bishops have designated this day as a "Day of Penance" for abortion, and ask us to engage in prayer and works of penance in reparation for abortion and to bring about an end to abortion. Here at St. Stanislaus, our Mass will be at 5:30 PM. Today , I am praying the Office of the Dead for all the victims of abortion:

Psalm 129

From the depths I have cried to thee O Lord: Lord hear my voice. Let thine ears be attentive: unto the voice of my petition. If thou wilt observe iniquities O Lord: Lord who shall endure it? Because with thee there is pitifulness: and for thy law I have expected thee O Lord. My soul hath stayed in his word: my soul hath hoped in our Lord. From the morning watch even until night: let Israel hope in our Lord. Because with our Lord there is mercy: and with him plentiful redemption. And he shall redeem Israel: from all his iniquities.

Requiem aeternam dona eis Domine: et lux perpetua luceat eis.

Please pray for the victims of abortion, and for those who have had abortions or cooperated in abortion, for their repentance and conversion of heart. Pray also for our land, that we would once again protect the lives of the most innocent and vulnerable.